Changeable tile layout including electrically connectable track



M. L GLASS ET L Nov. 14; 1967 3352,1354 CHANGEABLE TILE LAYOUT INCLUDINGELECTRICALLY CONNECTABLE TRACK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 4, 1965III-II all,

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CHANGEABLE TILE LAYOUT INCLUDING ELECTRICALLY CONNECTABLE TRACK FiledFeb. 4, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a7); is 1 gonna/L Q United States Patent3,352,054 CHANGEABLE TILE LAYOUT INCLUDING ELECTRICALLY CONNECTABLETRACK Marvin I. Glass, Chicago, Harry Disko, Park Ridge, and

Norman T. McFarland, Urbana, 11]., assignors to Maryin Glass &Associates, Chicago, 111., a partnership Filed Feb. 4, 1965, Ser. No.430,358 3 Claims. (CI. 46-17) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A toy vehiclelayout comprising a plurality of rectangular tiles having scenery formedthereon and including an integrally formed roadbed section with thetrack fixed thereto. The roadbed and track on a plurality of the tilesis similarly disposed, both vertically and horizontally with respect tothe sides of each tile, so as to permit interchangeable mating of thetiles. A mechanical and electrical connection is provided for the endsof the track on adjoining tiles, including a metal eyelet disposedthrough the roadbed and a removable metal conductor having end portionsdisposable in each of the two eyelets on the adjoining tiles.

The present invention relates generally to a layout for miniaturevehicles, and it is particularly directed to a layout including aplurality of prefabricated units each including model scenery and trackor roadway and adapted to be assembled in a variety of differentrelationships to form a unitary layout for a model train or otherpowered vehicle.

While toy trains, and more recently toy road racing sets, have been verypopular, probably the greatest deterrent to full enjoyment of the modellayout is the time required to put a layout together and to disassemblethe layout for storage purposes. Then too, there is very little realismprovided with such layouts, unless considerable time is spent buildingmodel scenery on a board for the layout. Particularly with smallerchildren the providing of a scenic background for the layout isdifiicult because it is beyond their capacity and unless an adult doessuch work the child loses a great deal of the play value of the toytrain or road racing set. The present invention is particularly directedto an arrangement whereby the toy train or road racing set is purchasedwith appropriate scenery and the track sections already placed onindividual tiles or squares, so that the entire layout can be readilyassembled and provide the finished appearance normally achieved only bythe avid hobbyist.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide aprefabricated miniature vehicle layout, including a plurality ofgeometrically complementary sections which can be matched in any of anumber of ways to provide a continuous layout, with each sectionincluding scenic components and one or more sections of the vehicletrack or road.

Another object of the invention is to provide a prefabricated vehiclelayout as described above, wherein means is provided for removablysecuring the various components together in a manner such'that theelectric circuit for the layout is also thereby completed, so as toafford control of an electrically powered vehicle and layout accessoriesfrom a single control point. Other objects and advantages will beapparent from the following description of the embodiment illustrated inthe drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a toy train layout made from ninerectangular components or tiles;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 2-2 inFIGURE 1;

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FIGURE 3 is an enlarged perspective view taken along the line 3-3 inFIGURE 1, with portions removed to illustrate the track section;

FIGURE 4 is a schematic illustration of another arrangement of six ofthe tiles seen in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a schematic illustration of still another layout formed fromeight of the tiles;

FIGURE 6 is a schematic illustration of a layout that is possiblethrough the addition of two tiles to the set shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view illustrating theconnection between the track sections on adjacent tiles;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 88 in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the electricalconnection between the power source and various components of thelayout;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged exploded view partly in section, illustratingthe means for mounting accessories in the layout; and

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 2 but illustrating theadaptation of the invention to its use with toy road racing sets.

As seen particularly in FIGURES 1, 4, 5 and 6, the present inventiongenerally provides a plurality of prefabricated tile sections 10, eachincluding one or more sections of track 12 and suitable sceniccomponents, wit-h the track secured in place on the tile and with eachtile being self-containing as to the required electrical circuit for thelayout. The tiles 10 are constructed so that they can be arranged inside-by-side relationship to provide a continuous circuit for the trackand complete the electrical circuit required for the operation of theminiature vehicle. Furthermore, the track sections are disposed on thevarious tiles, and the edge portions of the tiles are constructed andformed, so that a number of different layouts can be achieved with apredetermined number of the tile sections. Each tile section ispreferably moulded of a suitable material, such as plastic, and formedto provide roads and streets 14, plowed fields 16, lawns, etc.simulating a realistic landscape for the layout. The scenery may alsoinclude more elevated sections such as the hill 18, tunnel 20, trees 22,buildings 24, etc., in which case it is preferred that such elevatedsections be removable and in some cases preferably collapsible or easilydismantled for storage purposes. In this way it will be seen that thetile layout can be stored with a shelf or cupboard arrangement requiringa floor area slightly larger than the area of one individual tile.Furthermore, the time and skill required for assembling or disassemblingthe layout is minimal and, consequently, the child is more apt to playwith the toy train or race set more often than if he is required tocompletely assemble the layout each time.

As seen particularly in FIGURES 2 and 3, each of the individual layoutcomponents or tiles 10 is preferably rectangular, although othergeometrical forms might be used so long as they can be matched togetherto provide a continuous surface. The rectangular or square tile isobviously preferably, since it is adapted for storage in a moreefiicient manner and with a minimum amount of space required. Each tileis formed with a raised edge portion 26 which preferably elevates themain top surface of the tile above the supporting surface a sufficientdistance to accommodate electrical wiring in a concealed position belowthe tile. The road bed 28 for the track is a somewhat elevated and fiatsurface and the track 12 is fixedly secured in position on the road bed.The end of the track section on each tile must, of course, be positionedrelative to the edge 26 of the tile so as to properly mate with one ormore track sections on other tiles. Then too, the elevation of the endof the track 12 on each tile must be essentially identical with theelevation of at least one of the ends of the track sections on the othertiles. The surface portions of the remainder of the tile can be providedwith contours to simulate plowed fields, hills, rolling lawns, etc., andthey may also be provided with fiat regular sections simulating streets,air strips, and roads. In the latter instance, of course, it isimportant that the streets or roads 14 be related to the edges 26 of thetile in a manner similar to that on one or more other tiles to providefor continuity of the streets or roads in the layout.

Certain of the tile sections are particularly intended to have one ormore generally straight end or side sections, as seen in FIGURE 3, andcertain of the other tiles may have irregular or contoured edges, asindicated by the numeral 26a. More particularly, those tiles which aregenerally to be used as corners or sides of the various layouts can haveone or more edge portions which are not contoured but are generallystraight in configuration. The remaining edge portions of such tiles canbe irregular or contoured, as illustrated in FIGURE 3, with theirregula-rities of the contoured edges being generally similar Withrespect to irregular edges of other tiles.

In the illustrated embodiment, the toy train layout utilizes a two-wirecircuit 23, 30 to provide power for the train, and a third line 32 isprovided for supplying power to the various accessories. This isillustrated particularly in FIGURE 9, wherein the transformer 34 isconnected through lines 36 to an ordinary house circuit of 110 volts,and the pair of electrical wires 28, 30 extend from terminals on thetransformer to conventional clips 38 providing electrical connectionwith each of the two rails of track 12. The transformer 34 isconventional and includes a rheostat for controlling the speed of thetoy train. Electrical current to the accessories is provided by a thirdterminal 40 on the transformer having the wire 32 leading to a springclip connector 42 on the under side of the layout. In particular, thetracks on adjacent tile sections are fitted together by the usualconnector pins in the ends of the rails to provide for continuity of theelectrical circuit providing power to the train. A further mechanicaland electrical connection is provided by an elongated metal clip 44(FIGURES 67) having rebent end portions 46 which are adapted to befitted in openings 48 formed in metal eyelets 50 or the like adjacentthe ends of the adjoining tracks. These eyelets, in conjunction withclips 44, also provide mechanical means for securing the track sectionsin position on the tile. Integrally formed with the eyelets 50 andsuitably fixed thereto are conventional spring clip connectors 52, whichare positioned beneath the surface of the tile in concealed positions.As the elongated spring clips44 are positioned in place, they secure theadjoining tile sections together and-also provide an electricalconnection between the clip 52 on one tile and the clip 52 on theadjacent tile, as seen in FIGURE 8. A conduit or wire 54 is fixed to theunder side of the tile and extends lengthwise of the track sectionbetween the eyelets 50 on each tile and at a posi tion intermediate therails. The wire 32 leading from the transformer is fastened to any oneof the spring clips 52 and thereby provides a continuous source of powereX- tending around the track layout and available for opera tion ofaccessories, such as the lamp post 56 shown in the illustratedembodiment.

The accessories are also arranged so that the electrical wiring for eachaccessory is disposed beneath the tile sections. For example, asillustrated in FIGURES 8 and 10, a plurality of lamp posts or lights 56can be arranged around the layout and are readily removable for storagepurposes. At selected positions along the track or road way on thelayout, there is fixed to the tile a pair of metal eyelets 58 havingspring clip connectors 60 fastenedto such eyelets at positions beneaththe tile surface. The lamp posts 56 or other accessories are providedwith a pair of generally rigid electrical conductors 62 which fit intothe eyelets 58 and which may also provide the mechanical means forremovably supporting the accessory in position. A wire can be readilypositioned between each of the clip connectors 60 and a connector 52 onthe accessory power line and also with a connector'64 having electricalconnection with one of the rails. It will be seen that this connectionfor the accessory can be permanently installed and the accessory can bemounted in position for immediate operation and use whenever desired'oranother accessory substituted. Furthermore, such connection is concealedand in no way mars the appearance of the surface of the layout.

The layout illustrated in FIGURE 1 is formed from nine rectangular tilesections 10. The layout illustrated in FIGURE 4 provides a smallerlayout formed from six of such sections. In FIGURE 5 there isillustrated a layout which utilizes eight of the nine tile sections ofFIGURE 1 to change the form of the layout and, consequently, thedisposition of the scenery. FIGURE 6 illustrates how an owner of thelayout in FIGURE 1 can achieve further variations through the additionof two tiles, one tile 66 including a section of curved track and theother tile 68 having a track crossover. It should be apparent thatvarious other layout designs can be achieved by utilizing a given numberof tiles and shifting their relationship to each other. Further theowner can continue to add to the number of variations possible throughthe addition of one or more tiles to his set at any time.

FIGURE 11 is another embodiment of the invention illustrating its use inconnection with a road racing set. In such embodiment, the type ofscenery provided might be changed from that used in connection with thetoy train layout, in order to provide a more realistic surrounding oratmosphere for the road race. Insofar as the individual tiles aregenerally concerned, the road bed is altered to accommodate the type oftrack section 70 used with toy autos wherein the tracks 72 are in adepressed portion of the road. A particular advantage of this inventionwith road racing sets is that those tiles providing the curved portionof the road way can be formed with sharply inclined or banked curbedsections as illustrated in FIGURE 11, and hills can be formed along thedirection of the road, in order to more realistically illustrate racetracks or cross-country road racing courses.

Although shown and described with respect to particular apparatus, itwill be apparent that various modifications might be made withoutdeparting from the principles of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A my vehicle layout comprising a plurality of rectangular tileshaving mutually perpendicular borders and adapted to be placed inside-by-side relation to provide a continuous rectangular layout, eachof said tiles having scenery formed thereon and including an integrallyformed roadbed section with a track fixed thereto, each of said tilesincluding a non-planar, contoured upper surface and having at least oneedge portion of irregular cross-section corresponding substantially withan irregular edge contour of a plurality of the other tiles to providefor interchangeable mating of the several tiles, the roadbed and trackon a plurality of said tiles being similarly disposed both verticallyand horizontally with respect to the sides of said tile so as to permitinterchangeable mating of thetiles, and means at eachof the ends of thetrack on each tile providing for a mechanical connection betweenadjoining tiles and an electrical connection between tracks on saidadjoining tiles including a metal eyelet disposed through a cross-tie onsaid track and through said roadbed, and a removable metal conductorhaving end portions positionable in each of two of said eyeletsonadjoining tiles to provide for continuity of the electrical circuitacross adjoining tiles.

2. A toy vehicle layout comprising a plurality of rectangular tileshaving mutually perpendicular borders and adapted to be placed inside-by-side relation to provide a continuous rectangular layout, eachof said tiles having scenery formed thereon and including an integrallyformed roadbed section with a track fixed thereto, each of said tilesincluding a non-planar, contoured upper surface and having said bordersof sufiicient depth to provide space between the contoured, innerportion of the tile and its supporting surface, the roadbed and track ona plurality of said tiles being similarly disposed at the end portionsthereof, both vertically with respect to the lower edge of the borderand horizontally with respect to the sides of said tile, so as to permitinterchangeable mating of the tiles, means affording a meehanicalconnection between adjoining tiles and an electrical connection betweentracks on said adjoining tiles, said means including a metal eyeletdisposed through a metal cross-tie on said track and through saidroadbed, and a removable metal strap having end portions positionable ineach of two of said eyelets on adjoining tiles to provide for continuityof the electrical circuit across adjoining tiles on the upper surfacethereof, whereby the electrical wiring for said track and accessories isessentially entirely concealed beneath said tiles except for saidconnection between the tracks on adjacent tiles.

3. A toy train layout comprising a plurality of rectangular tiles havingmutually perpendicular borders and adapted to be placed in side-by-siderelation to provide a continuous rectangular layout, each of said tileshaving scenery formed thereon and including an integrally formed roadbedsection with a track fixed thereto, each of said tiles including anon-planar, contoured upper surface and having at least one edge portionof irregular cross-section corresponding substantially with the edgecontour of a plurality of the other tiles to provide for interchangeablemating of the several tiles, the roadbed and track on a plurality ofsaid tiles being similarly disposed -both vertically and horizontallywith respect to the supporting lower edge and sides of said tile,respectively, so as to permit interchangeable mating of the tiles, meansat each of the ends of the track on each tile providing for a mechanicalconnection between adjoining tiles and an electrical connection betweentracks on said adjoining tiles including a metal eyelet disposed througha metal cross-tie on said track and through said roadbed, and aremovable metal strap having end portions positionable in each of twoadjacent eyelets to provide for continuity of the electrical circuitacross adjoining tiles, and means defining openings in said tiles forsupportingly receiving portions of electrically operated accessories andplacing said accessories in electrical communication with said track,whereby the electrical wiring for said track and accessories isessentially entirely concealed beneath said tiles except for saidconnection between tracks on adjoining tiles.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,310,037 2/ 1943 Reno 46-2282,866,418 12/1958 Petrick 46-216 X 3,025,626 3/1962 Schumacher 4617FOREIGN PATENTS 828,216 1/1952 Germany.

F. BARRY SHAY, Primary Examiner.

1. A TOY VEHICLE LAYOUT COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF RECTANGULAR TILESHAVING MUTUALLY PERPENDICULAR BORDERS AND ADAPTED TO BE PLACED INSIDE-BY-SIDE RELATION TO PROVIDE A CONTINUOUS RECTANGULAR LAYOUT, EACHOF SAID TILES HAVING SCENERY FORMED THEREON AND INCLUDING AN INTEGRALLYFORMED ROADBED SECTION WITH A TRACK FIXED THERETO, EACH OF SAID TILESINCLUDING A NON-PLANAR, CONTOURED UPPER SURFACE AND HAVING AT LEAST ONEEDGE PORTION OF IRREGULAR CROSS-SECTION CORRESPONDING SUBSTANTIALLY WITHAN IRREGULAR EDGE CONTOUR OF A PLURALITY OF THE OTHER TILES TO PROVIDEFOR INTERCHANGEABLE MATING OF THE SEVERAL TILES, THE ROADBED AND TRACKON A PLURALITY OF SAID TILES BEING SIMILARLY DISPOSED BOTH VERTICALLYAND HORIZONTALLY WITH RESPECT TO THE SIDES OF SAID TILES, AND MEANS ATEACH OF CHANGEABLE MATING THE TILES, AND MEANS AT EACH OF THE ENDS OFTHE TRACK ON EACH TILE PROVIDING FOR A MECHANICAL CONNECTION BETWEENADJOINING TILES AND AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN TRACKS ON SAIDADJOINING TILES INCLUDING A METAL EYELET DISPOSED THROUGH A CROSS-TIE ONSAID TRACK AND THROUGH SAID ROADBED, AND A REMOVABLE METAL CONDUCTORHAVING END PORTIONS POSITIONABLE IN EACH OF TWO OF SAID EYELETS ONADJOINING TILES TO PROVIDE FOR CONTINUITY OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITACROSS ADJOINING TILES.